HIGH SCHOOL TRACK AND FIELD: Highlights were plentiful for Waynesboro in 2013

During the 2013 track and field season, Waynesboro qualified two female competitors for the PIAA Championships and came very close to sending two male athletes as well.

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Waynesboro Record Herald - Waynesboro, PA

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Posted Jun. 11, 2013 at 11:00 AM

Posted Jun. 11, 2013 at 11:00 AM

WAYNESBORO — During the 2013 track and field season, Waynesboro qualified two female competitors for the PIAA Championships and came very close to sending two male athletes as well.

It was that kind of season for Waynesboro — so close, yet so far.

From Andrew Paterno missing states by one place to Johnnie Adgers’ heartbreaking ending to his illustrious career that saw him set a school record in the long jump, to sophomores Lilly Harnish and Hollister Rolls both qualifying for the state meet, it was a memorable season.

It took a long time for the weather to warm up. In some ways, it really didn’t warm up at all. The wind chill on Friday, May 24 made it feel like late November as Harnish competed in the state high jump competition at Shippensburg University.

Harnish made a good showing, too. She cleared 5-feet on her second attempt and advanced to the third round after making it over the bar at 5-2 on her third jump. Three tries later at 5-4, Harnish’s season was over. Had she cleared that height, the talented jumper would have finished fourth in the state.

Harnish and then-senior Carrie Mowen gave the Maidens (2-5, 1-5 Mid-Penn Colonial Division) a powerful one-two punch in the high jump, while rising-senior Brittany Hoffman helped in the triple jump.

“We felt very good about (Harnish and Rolls) their performances,” said Waynesboro head coach Darwin Seiler, who is understandably excited to have Harnish — who also competes in the long jump and triple jump — and Rolls back in 2014. “They’re both wonderful kids to work with. I don’t think the moment was too big for either one of them.”

Rolls set not one, but two school records in the 300 hurdles, the same event in which she qualified for the state meet. Rolls, who also ran the 100 hurdles, broke her own school record she set earlier in the season with a time of 45.17 seconds at the District 3-AAA Championships, also held at Shippensburg University.

She didn’t make it past the prelminary heat at states, but considering she didn’t start competing in the 300 hurdles until the spring she’ll only get better. Rolls also set a record in the 100 hurdles (15.8), setting that mark on the same day she established a new record in the 300 hurdles (47.6).

“We kind of anticipate her to continue getting better every time out since she really hasn’t run the 300 that much,” Seiler said. “It’s just impressivfe to see a kid, especially at such a young age, rise to the occasion on that type of stage.”

Seiler noted that the girls team was “exceedingly young” this past season, meaning a bunch of returning competitors will make up the 2014 roster, including those advancing up the ranks from the middle school team.

Page 2 of 2 - In addition to Rolls and Harnish, Kiki Hodge-Shindledecker and Jade Swope will highlight the sprints. Taylor Davis, Zoe Harris and Hannah Kauffman should anchor the weight events, with Brooke Smith will help lead the effort in the distance events. She also ran in the 400 in 2013.

Boys

The Indians (4-3, 3-3 MPC) will have to replace a lot in Adgers and Paterno, who could be counted on for bunches of points.

“We will certainly miss those two,” Seiler said. “You go into a meet saying, ‘We have close to 30 points with those two.”

Time will tell who steps into the role of top scorer on the team, but Seiler believes next year should be a strong year for the distance crew.

“They will have to carry us next year,” he said. “I’m looking to the 4-by-800 relay team, the 1600, 3200 and 800 events, and the hurdles also (with Justin Croteau).”

Shaquill Smith emerged as a force in the 800 and contributed in the 3200 relay along with Jared Weisbrod, Ethan Mankins and Nate Lapole. Abram Moats (800, 1600) and Lapole (3200)

Adgers carried the team in the high jump, long jump and triple jump, while Paterno was uber reliable in the shotput, discus and javelin events.

Adgers’ season ended in the district meet after a hamstring injury caused him to withdraw from the high jump — an event in which he was seeded No. 1 overall.

“I really feel bad for Johnnie,” Seiler said. “You just never know with things like that and you certainly didn’t want to see him go out with an injury. . . He’s had a great career and you just hate to see it end that way.”

Paterno medaled in district meet for the second year in a row, finishing sixth with a throw of 50-feet.

Waynesboro will also have to find sprinters as top sprinter Ben Petrie (100, 200) was lost to graduation. Brett Mohn, Camry Huff, Monty Ditch and Trae Oyler contributed to the team’s efforts during the season and should continue to get better.